HEAT EXCHANGER
A heat exchanger is provided. The heat exchanger includes a stack assembly with a plurality of plates and a plurality of frames arranged in an alternating stacked relationship with the plates along a stack direction. The stack assembly also includes a plurality of foam blocks disposed within the plurality of frames. A first and second fluid flow path extend through the stack assembly, with the first fluid flow path in thermal contact with the second fluid flow path and fluidly isolated from the second fluid flow path.
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This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/642,147, filed Dec. 20, 2006, and entitled Heat Exchanger.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe present disclosure is directed to a heat exchanger, and more particularly to a stacked plate heat exchanger and method of assembly thereof.
BACKGROUNDPlate-type heat exchangers are used for certain industrial applications in place of fin and tube or shell and tube type heat exchangers because they are less expensive and easier to make than most forms of heat exchangers. In one form of such plate-type heat exchangers, a plurality of primary surface plates are brazed together in a unitary structure with spacer frames located between adjacent plates and traversing a course adjacent to the plate peripheries. Flow of the two fluids involved in heat exchange is through alternate layers defined by the brazed plates. The space between the plates may be occupied by protuberances or fins formed in the plates to increase turbulence or heat exchange in the fluid flow. All of the fluid flowing in a given defined space is in contact with the plates to enhance heat transfer.
In order to handle larger heat loads, existing plate-type heat exchangers may be scaled up in size by adding more layers or using denser configurations of layers. However, one problem that arises with some designs is that the pressure loss across the heat exchanger increases. One technique used to decrease the pressure loss is to transversely supply each layer from a single conduit. The conduit is sized to minimize any pressure drops. An example of such a heat exchanger is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,911,273 to Brenner et al. (“the '273 patent”). The '273 patent discloses a heat exchanger having a stacked plate construction made of four distinct parts: a cover, a flow duct plate, a connection cover plate, and a connection plate. These parts are alternated and rotated in a stack assembly. A first fluid flows into the heat exchanger through a connection opening, into a single connection conduit, then transversely through fluidically parallel layers. A second fluid has a similar flow pattern, with the heat exchange occurring across the parallel layers of the stack assembly.
While the configuration of the '273 patent attempts to decrease pressure losses, it results in an increased manifold volume or supply conduit volume to heat exchanger volume ratio. As the size or the number of layers in the heat exchanger increases, the size of the manifold volume increases as well. For applications requiring a compact construction, this may prove to be unacceptable. In addition, there may be non-uniform heat exchange such that layers farthest from the supply conduit inlets may receive less flow than layers closest to the supply conduit inlets.
The present disclosure is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems set forth above.
SUMMARYIn one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger includes a stack assembly with a plurality of plates and a plurality of frames arranged in an alternating stacked relationship with the plates along a stack direction. The stack assembly also includes a plurality of foam blocks disposed within the plurality of frames. A first and second fluid flow path extend through the stack assembly, with the first fluid flow path in thermal contact with the second fluid flow path and fluidly isolated from the second fluid flow path.
In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a method of manufacturing a heat exchanger including the steps of providing a plurality of plates having a plurality of first openings and providing a plurality of frames having a plurality of second openings. The method also includes the steps of positioning at least one of the plurality of foam blocks into each frame and alternately stacking the plates with the frames along a stack direction. The method also includes the steps of aligning the plurality of first openings with the plurality of second openings to define a first and a second fluid flow path extending through the stack assembly and sealingly interconnecting the stacked plates and frames to each other. The method also includes the step of fluidly isolating the first fluid flow path from the second fluid flow path.
In a third aspect of the present disclosure, a heat exchanger is provided. The heat exchanger includes a stack assembly with a plurality of plates and a plurality of frames arranged in an alternating stacked relationship with the plates along a stack direction. Each of the plates has a plurality of first openings, and each of the frames has a plurality of second openings. The stack assembly also includes a plurality of metal foam blocks disposed within the plurality of frames. A first and second fluid flow path extend through the stack assembly and the plurality of first and second openings, with the first fluid flow path in thermal contact with the second fluid flow path and fluidly isolated from the second fluid flow path.
Reference will now be made in detail to the drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.
Stack assembly 20 is made up of layers of plates 30 and frames 40. As seen in
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In addition, as seen in
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Stack assembly 20 is placed onto a bottom cover 50. As seen in
As seen in
As the heat exchanger 10 is stacked, the alignment of openings 32, 42, 52 and voids 43 in the plates 30, frames 40, and covers 50, 60 define a plurality of fluid channels 95, 96, 97, 98 that extend through the stack assembly 20 along the stack direction 12. Fluid channels 95, 96 are defined in the first row 34, 44, 54, 64 of plates 30, frames 40, and covers 50, 60, while fluid channels 97, 98 are defined in the second row 36, 46, 56, 66 of plates 30, frames 40, and covers 50, 60. In one exemplary embodiment, fluid channels 95, 96 alternate openings 32, 42, 52, 62 and voids 43 throughout first row 34, 44, 54, 64, so that each fluid channel 95 is adjacent a fluid channel 96. Similarly, fluid channels 97, 98 alternate openings 32, 42, 52, 62 and voids 43 throughout second row 36, 46, 56, 66, so that each fluid channel 97 is adjacent a fluid channel 98.
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In another exemplary embodiment, a gas to fluid heat exchanger (not shown) may be constructed by substituting layers of frames 340, as shown in
Heat exchangers 10, 110, 410 may be formed using a brazing operation. Before assembly, a flux is applied to the peripheries of each of manifolds 82, 84,86, 88; covers 50, 60, frames 40, and plates 30. Thin sheets of solder may be placed between each layer to ensure a solder seal extending around the entire periphery. After assembly, the heat exchanger 10, 110 may be clamped together and heated to form a sealed unit. Alternately, the heat exchanger 10, 110 may be formed from any other technique known in the art, such as welding.
Stack assembly 420 begins with the base plate 490. A first frame 440 is aligned on the base plate 490. Foam blocks 450 are positioned within each of the channels 444 of the frame 440. A first plate 430 is then aligned onto the frame 440 such that the plurality of first openings 432 are aligned with the plurality of second openings 442. A second frame 440, rotated 180 degrees about the stack direction 412, is placed onto the plate 430. Foam blocks 450 are again positioned within each of the channels 444 of the second frame 440, which is capped with a second plate 430. The second plate 430 is also rotated 180 degrees about the stack direction 412 with respect to the first plate 430. After the desired number of layers is stacked, a manifold plate 460 is positioned on top of the uppermost frame 440. Alignment rods (not shown) may be used to help align the plates 430, frames 440, and manifold plate 460.
The manifold plate 460 has first and second fluid inlets 472, 482, as well as first and second fluid outlets 474, 484. The inlets 472, 482, and outlets 474, 484 are each aligned with the one of the plurality of first and second openings 432, 442 in the plurality of plates 430 and frames 440 to form a first and second fluid flow path 470, 480.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITYIn operation, a first and a second fluid flow path 92, 94 are defined through the heat exchanger 10, 110. A first fluid, such as heated engine oil, follows first fluid flow path 92 and enters through manifold 82. From manifold 82, the first fluid next flows into the fluid channels 96 extending through the stack assembly 20 defined by the first row 54 of openings 52 in the bottom cover 50 (as seen in
Similarly, a second fluid, such as coolant, follows second fluid flow path 94 and enters through manifold 86. From manifold 86, the second fluid next flows into fluid channels 97 extending through the stack assembly 20 defined by the second row 56 of openings 52 in the bottom cover 50 (as seen in
Foam inserts 100 or turbulators 38 may also be used to increase the heat exchange that occurs across primary surface sheet or plate 30, 130. Additional heat exchange may also occur in alternating channels in each of the first and second rows (as seen in
Referring now to
The second fluid, which may be a coolant such as water or ethylene glycol, follows second flow path 480 and enters the manifold plate 460 through the second fluid inlet 482. The second fluid flow path 480 then extends down the stack direction 412 through one of the openings 442 in the first frame 440, through one of the openings 432 in plate 430 and into one of the openings 442 in the second frame 440. The second fluid flow path 480 continues along one longitudinal channel 446 in each of the alternating frames 440. The second flow path 480 flows across alternating frames 440 through the foam blocks 450 in the channels 444 and back through the other longitudinal channel 446 of each of the alternating frames 440, into another opening 442 and back up out of the stack assembly 420 through the second fluid outlet 484.
The foam blocks 450, positioned within the channels 444, increase the heat transfer that takes place in this counterflow arrangement between the first fluid flow path 470 and second fluid flow path 480. The foam blocks 450 may be compressed into the channels 444 such that an outer portion (not shown) of the foam blocks 450 has a lower percentage of void space than an inner portion (also not shown). The foam ligaments (not shown) of the foam blocks 450 have a large surface area per unit volume of foam which results in higher heat conduction from the hot side of the plate 430 to the cold side. The foam ligaments also turbulate the fluid flow which leads to higher heat transfer rates. The metal foam ligaments, having a much higher thermal conductivity than the fluid, increase the effective conductivity of the fluid-metal foam mixture.
It will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed heat exchanger without departing from the scope of the invention. Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope of the invention being indicated by the following claims and their equivalents.
Claims
1. A heat exchanger comprising:
- a stack assembly including: a plurality of plates; a plurality of frames arranged in an alternating stacked relationship with the plates along a stack direction; and a plurality of foam blocks disposed within the plurality of frames;
- a first fluid flow path extending through the stack assembly; and
- a second fluid flow path extending through the stack assembly and in thermal contact with the first fluid flow path and fluidly isolated from the first fluid flow path.
2. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein each of the plates has a plurality of first openings, each of the frames has a plurality of second openings, and the first and second fluid flow paths extend through the plurality of first and second openings.
3. The heat exchanger of claim 2, wherein the stack assembly has a transverse direction perpendicular to the stack direction, the first fluid flow path extends through at least one of the plurality of frames in the transverse direction, and the second fluid flow path extends through a frame adjacent to the at least one of the plurality of frames in the transverse direction.
4. The heat exchanger of claim 2, wherein the stack assembly has a transverse direction perpendicular to the stack direction, the first fluid flow path extends through at least one of the plurality of frames in the transverse direction, and the second fluid flow path extends through a frame adjacent to the at least one of the plurality of frames opposite the transverse direction.
5. The heat exchanger of claim 4, wherein the plurality of plates and frames have a length greater than a width, and the transverse direction extends along the width.
6. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein each frame has a plurality of channels and at least one of the plurality of foam blocks are disposed within each of the plurality of channels.
7. The heat exchanger of claim 6, wherein the plurality of foam blocks is metal foam.
8. The heat exchanger of claim 6, wherein the at least one of the plurality of foam blocks has an inner portion and an outer portion, and the outer portion has a lower percentage of void space than the inner portion.
9. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the stack assembly is brazed together.
10. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the first and second fluid flow paths each have an inlet and an outlet, and further comprising:
- a manifold plate coupled to the stack assembly along the stack direction and fluidly coupled to the inlet and the outlet of the first and second fluid flow paths.
11. A method of manufacturing a heat exchanger comprising:
- providing a plurality of plates having a plurality of first openings, a plurality of frames having a plurality of second openings, and a plurality of foam blocks;
- positioning at least one of the plurality of foam blocks into each frame;
- alternately stacking the plates with the frames along a stack direction into a stack assembly;
- aligning the plurality of first openings with the plurality of second openings to define a first and a second fluid flow path extending through the stack assembly;
- sealingly interconnecting the stacked plates and frames to each other; and
- fluidly isolating the first fluid flow path from the second fluid flow path.
12. The method of claim 11 further comprising:
- rotating alternate frames 180 degrees about the stack direction.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein the first and second fluid flow paths each have an inlet and an outlet, and further comprising:
- providing a manifold plate; and
- fluidly coupling the manifold plate along the stack direction to the inlet and the outlet of the first and second fluid flow paths.
14. The method of claim 11, wherein the heat exchanger has a transverse direction perpendicular to the stack direction, the first fluid flow path extends through at least one of the plurality of frames in the transverse direction, and the second fluid flow path extends through a frame adjacent to the at least one of the plurality of frames in the transverse direction.
15. The method of claim 11, wherein the heat exchanger has a transverse direction perpendicular to the stack direction, the first fluid flow path extends through at least one of the plurality of frames in the transverse direction, and the second fluid flow path extends through a frame adjacent to the at least one of the plurality of frames opposite the transverse direction.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the plurality of plates and frames have a length greater than a width, and the transverse direction extends along the width.
17. The method of claim 11, wherein each frame has a plurality of channels, and further comprising:
- positioning at least one of the plurality of foam blocks within each of the plurality of channels.
18. The method of claim 11, wherein the plurality of foam blocks is metal foam.
19. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of sealingly interconnecting the stacked plates and frames to each other includes brazing, and further comprising:
- brazing the plurality of foam blocks to the plurality of plates.
20. A heat exchanger comprising:
- a stack assembly including: a plurality of plates, each of the plates having a plurality of first openings; a plurality of frames arranged in an alternating stacked relationship with the plates along a stack direction, each of the frames having a plurality of second openings; and a plurality of metal foam blocks disposed within the plurality of frames;
- a first fluid flow path extending through the stack assembly and the plurality of first and second openings; and
- a second fluid flow path extending through the stack assembly and the plurality of first and second openings and in thermal contact with the first fluid flow path and fluidly isolated from the first fluid flow path.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 20, 2007
Publication Date: Jun 26, 2008
Patent Grant number: 8033326
Applicant: Caterpillar Inc (Peoria, IL)
Inventor: Youssef Michel Dakhoul (East Peoria, IL)
Application Number: 11/960,946
International Classification: F28F 3/08 (20060101); B21D 53/02 (20060101);